Spiritual Journey
This guide is in no way meant to put people in simple folders of spirituality, but rather to provide a framework for how we think about our spiritual journey in regards to three components of the Christian life: Gospel, Community, and Mission.
Over the next few weeks, we will be adding more information and resources to the categories of the Journey to assist you in becoming Gospel-centered, in Community, and on Mission. Click on the categories below for more information.
Non-Believer
Skeptic
Doubter
Wrestler
Follower
Minister
Non-Believer
- Refuses the Gospel
- The non-believer has either never heard the Gospel, or has heard the news of Jesus' subtitutionary sacrifice and Resurrection, and refuses to accept it as fact.
- Not Involved in Community
- The non-believer may have good (even close) relationships with Christians, but is not interacting with the Christian worldview on a regular basis.
- Mission is Self-Centered
- The non-believer lives for self-gratification, whether through outright rebellion or moralistic religion.
Next Step
- Contact us at hello@harmonydc.com to talk about the Gospel, or visit one of our gatherings or Home Groups to learn more.
Resources
- The Book of Ecclesiastes by King Solomon
- The Book of Luke by Luke the Physician
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Simply Christian by Tom (N.T.) Wright
- The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Skeptic
- Debates the Gospel
- The skeptic has heard the Gospel and understands it clearly, but sees an overwhelming amount of evidence against it.
- Involved in Academic Community
- The skeptic is often a thought-leader and loves to discuss various philosophies. He or she may show up to God and Guinness, or another conversational, but academic, approach to the Gospel.
- Mission is Self-Centered
- The skeptic also lives for self-gratification.
Next Step
- Want to sit down with a mature believer that may be able to help with some of the questions? Feel free to email us at hello@harmonydc.com, or visit a gathering or Home Group to have someone wrestle alongside you.
Resources
- The Book of Exodus by Moses
- The Book of Mark by Mark (on Peter's Behalf)
- The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
- King's Cross by Tim Keller
- I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
Doubter
- Doubts the Gospel
- The doubter understands the Gospel, and believes a majority of evidence to point to it's truth, but still has major doubts with accepting it as a worldview.
- May Be Involved in Community
- The doubter will show up to a gathering or Home Group once or twice, but otherwise has little contact with Community.
- Questioning Mission
- The doubter is beginning to believe that his or her personal mission may be misguided and that self-gratification isn't the only way to live.
Next Step
- Doubt your doubts! Get involved in a Home Group or at our Sunday gatherings to begin learning how the Gospel is a valid worldview.
Resources
- The Book of Job by Unknown
- The Book of Romans by Paul of Tarsus
- Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll
- The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
- Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Wrestler
- Question the Gospel
- The wrestler believes the Gospel to be true, and should be considered a Christian. There are still some rather large questions looming, particularly with how the Gospel affects his or her life.
- Sparingly Involved in Community
- The wrestler is involved in community very sporadically. There is very little committment.
- Searching for Mission
- The wrestler hears about "living on mission" and the mission of God, but is still figuring out how his or her life fits into God's vision for the world.
Next Step
- Commit to Community, where wisdom can be found. Get involved in a Home Group nearest your home, and commit to joining us for corporate worship at least 3 out of every 4 weeks.
Resources
- The Book of Hosea by Hosea
- The Book of Galatians by Paul of Tarsus
- Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll
- Desiring God by John Piper
- Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
Follower
- Obeys the Gospel
- The follower believes the Gospel, and is obedient to it in many spheres of their life.
- Regularly Involved in Community
- The follower is committed to the Community, and is regularly active within it.
- Mission is God-Centered
- The follower understands how his or her life collides with the missio dei, and lives incarnationally in the city among his or her co-workers, family members, and friends.
Next Step
- Get coached and get involved in the community! Talk to a leader about how you can serve within the gatherings or as a Home Group leader.
Resources
- The Book of Proverbs by King Solomon
- The Book of Ephesians by Paul of Tarsus
- Death by Love by Mark Driscoll
- The Pleasures of God by John Piper
- Radical by David Platt
Minister
- Forwards the Gospel
- The minister proclaims the Gospel on a regular basis, refusing to let an evangelistic opportunity pass unnoticed.
- Serving in Community
- The minister has a leadership role within the Community, whether leading or hosting a Home Group, or serving at a Gathering, or leading a mission outside of the Church Community proper.
- Leading Others on Mission
- The minister is reproductive, multiplying disciples like themselves: Gospel-centered, in Community, and on Mission.
Next Step
- Grow deeper in the Gospel and in leadership. Continue to multiply yourself! Have you thought about being part of a church planting team from Harmony?
Resources
- The Book of Nehemiah by Nehemiah
- The Book of Acts by Luke the Physician
- Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
- Culture Making by Andy Crouch
- To Transform a City by Eric Swanson